How much does a one minute video cost?

As a video production company, we get asked this question a lot. We get it – budget plays a major role in deciding whether or not you add video to your campaign, and which production company you choose to work with. A quick Google search will give you a few results, but the honest answer is: it depends.

It depends on the type of video, the concept, the actions, the crew, the locations, the equipment, and yes, even the length of the video. And all of those things depend on one thing: your business.

When we work with our clients, we like to start with your goals and challenges. What type of campaign will this concept be part of, and why? Then, we talk about your ballpark budget – do you have one in mind? This helps us suggest the type of video content that will best help you meet your goals within that budget.

If someone’s giving you a quote without talking about what you want to accomplish, how you’d determine if the campaign was a success, and your target audience, you shouldn’t be working with them. (I might be biased but…) They’re not going to deliver material that helps you meet your goals.

Every business’ needs are unique, so why treat all the content as the same?

Ok, don’t leave, we’re still going to ballpark some costs for you! But we do want to make sure you’re reading this with the understanding that, just like every other marketing or communications campaign that you run, there are variables that we should talk about. It’s the role of your video partner (whether it’s us or not) to walk you through your options and work with you to develop a campaign that helps you accomplish the most within your budget.

So, here are a few different types of video, and some ideas around what similar content might cost:

1) Interview style videos ($2,500 – $5,500)

Interview style videos are great for internal communications, for establishing your brand and team as thought leaders, or even for showcasing your customer testimonials. Typically we can shoot 4 interviews in the same location in a day, so we’ll work with you to figure out how to get the most bang for your buck. Some factors that could affect the budget are graphics/animation, location, travel, length of the interviews, music royalties, and script writing.

2) Event videos ($4,500 – $10,000)

These videos can help you document and share the success of a launch, or market a recurring event. Some factors that could affect the budget are event length, crew size, travel, whether you need to show the video at the end of the event (same-day edit) and music royalties.

3) Animation video ($10,000 – $25,000)

Animated video is amazing for showcased products, walking through tutorials, and breaking down complex concepts. The style of animation and length of video is really what influences the budget here. When you’re reaching out to your video partner, include samples of other videos that you’ve seen where you like the animation – that should really help them as they price out the project with you!

4) Promotional / Documentary video ($10,000 – $20,000)

A promotional video in a documentary style can communicate a lot about your brand and are especially effective in cases like this video, where there’s been a clear evolution.

5) Commercial video ($10,000 – $30,000)

Top of funnel awareness, story-driven, commercial videos have the most variables in terms of concept and style, so also vary the most in terms of budget. Don’t be scared! Your video partner should be able to talk through your budget and goals with you, and develop a concept that can be executed within your budget. These projects usually require multiple days of filming with a larger crew, which is why they cost more than some other styles of video. But, because they leverage an emotional connection with the viewer, they can be much more effective.

Looking for a more detailed quote, or just want to talk great video? Connect with Dave at dave@oakandrumble.com.